T-bacteriophages and e-coli

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E00120

T-bacteriophages on E. coli. Colored Transmission Electron Micrograph (TEM) of T-bacteriophage viruses attacking and infecting a bacterial cell of Escherichia coli. A single virus particle, made up of a head and tail, is seen "sitting" on the cell (at lower left). This virus has a head containing DNA genetic material which is injected into the bacterium using it's tail as a syringe. The virus DNA takes over the bacterial cell, forcing it to produce more viruses, seen as orange spheres within the cell. Eventually, the cell will burst, releasing a large number of new viruses. In this way T-bacteriophages act as parasites on bacterial cells.

Eye of Science/Science Source